May as well get going with this since with Sullivan at the helm, season ticket renewals slow, and the football vacuum to commence, this will soon be all the "news" there is.
Can Potter and MacCauley pull multiple rabbits out of the hat, or will Sullivan 'try really hard' with all of them before grabbing a few aging bargains from Big Willie Salthouse?
Window this close season comes in two parts:
Part 1: 1st June to 10th June
Part 2: 16th June to 1st September
Barty888 wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 18:13
Appoint Mourinho ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The matches would be shit, but the press conferences would be compulsory viewing.
If you're going to play more conservative, doing it by the best at it winning a load of shit is the way to go. You can hold your nose when it's someone of that calibre. Not that I think Mourinhos Football is anywhere near as boring as say a Potter/Moyes in any case. I called for Mourinho in the past as an alternative, so it would be a yes from me. Why is Potter still manager..
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 19:15
by Barty888
the matches would be better than what BFS and Moyes served up and we would have a decent win percentage. IT'S A NO BRAINER!
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 19:13
by stubbo-admin
Barty888 wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 18:13
Appoint Mourinho ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The matches would be shit, but the press conferences would be compulsory viewing.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 18:13
by Barty888
Appoint Mourinho ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 18:07
by southbankbornnbred
But, I should add, there's never a reason to appoint somebody like Steve Bruce etc.
There are managers who are problem solvers and can impose a structure on a team quickly and firefight - like Mourinho and, possibly, Carrick (who took over Boro when they were really struggling). And then there's a fat bloke who doesn't know what he's doing!
So I'm not calling for Dyche, Fat Sam etc or those managers who the press think are "firefighters". Just somebody who knows their way around players and teams without the need for a four-year "you can't judge me yet" run-up.
Agreed generally, although I’d push more resources at starters right now - not projects. And there’s no way I’d sign Boniface. Recipe for disaster. The guy has two knee-knacks. We’ll get almost nothing out of him. He’ll get another big pay day.
Yup. The time for projects was two years ago for them to be coming to fruition now. Sullivan just can’t work in those timeframes. It seems. Unable to think past the next six months or spend money he won’t see some sort of return on in that space.
There have been countless opportunities to invest in young talent. Moyes was hugely at fault for this, never thinking past the immediate.
The big thing I was hoping for from Potter and the reason I assume he and Macaulay were hired was for us to be shopping in the ‘potential’ pool. They haven’t had a chance yet seen as it’s been panic stations before and the entire time they’ve been here. If we pick up with what we are getting at the last minute now there is still hope that this could come to fruition.
I DESPISE the notion that Sullivan is taking that he’s digging us out of this mess though. He could have gone and got Fernandes for this money a month ago but was pissing about lowballing them to the detriment of his team and manager. All he’s doing is correcting his own mistakes and cheapness at the last possible minute.
But this is our whole problem isn't it, it is never the right time to start a proper visionary project that will look way into the future and establish how we want to play and where we want to go. It is always fire fighting or handing over to some manger we get on the cheap who promised to get us playing great entertaining football, but whom always seem to fuck up and get us close to relegation. When does it stop? How about now? Get a serious management team together and get to work.
Politely, Mex, I disagree completely.
There have been periods when we were well set and SHOULD have started a longer-term plan, with a progressive young manager etc. After Bilic went, for example (before Pellegrini). After Moyes left the second time, for example (before Loppy). After Pards was sacked, even. On each occasion, we had a decent enough core of players - or the money, or both - to be less worried about relegation threats etc.
So, you're right in that sense. That's when you build your club and show some patience. Because you can afford to.
But there have also been occasions when, because the squad has been so poor, or we've been skint, what we've needed was a problem solver. Somebody to make order from chaos, and who can grind out results against better opponents on a tighter budget. And I'd say we're in that place right now.
If we lose to Forest on Sunday (hopefully we won't), I genuinely think Potter should go. Personally, I don't think he's any good - and he's certainly struggling to make order from chaos. But if we sacked him while bottom of the league and shipping almost four goals a game, that is NOT the time to appoint another "project" manager who will need time, money, a clean slate and a long run-up at the job. That is exactly when you appoint a firefighter. Because you're in a relegation fight at that stage, and five-year plans go out of the window unless you build in the possibility that you might spend some of it in the Championship.
We're a really poor side right now. Hopefully, the new lads will improve us.
Agreed generally, although I’d push more resources at starters right now - not projects. And there’s no way I’d sign Boniface. Recipe for disaster. The guy has two knee-knacks. We’ll get almost nothing out of him. He’ll get another big pay day.
Yup. The time for projects was two years ago for them to be coming to fruition now. Sullivan just can’t work in those timeframes. It seems. Unable to think past the next six months or spend money he won’t see some sort of return on in that space.
There have been countless opportunities to invest in young talent. Moyes was hugely at fault for this, never thinking past the immediate.
The big thing I was hoping for from Potter and the reason I assume he and Macaulay were hired was for us to be shopping in the ‘potential’ pool. They haven’t had a chance yet seen as it’s been panic stations before and the entire time they’ve been here. If we pick up with what we are getting at the last minute now there is still hope that this could come to fruition.
I DESPISE the notion that Sullivan is taking that he’s digging us out of this mess though. He could have gone and got Fernandes for this money a month ago but was pissing about lowballing them to the detriment of his team and manager. All he’s doing is correcting his own mistakes and cheapness at the last possible minute.
But this is our whole problem isn't it, it is never the right time to start a proper visionary project that will look way into the future and establish how we want to play and where we want to go. It is always fire fighting or handing over to some manger we get on the cheap who promised to get us playing great entertaining football, but whom always seem to fuck up and get us close to relegation. When does it stop? How about now? Get a serious management team together and get to work.
Sullivan tends to give two year contracts. And also let's managers choose their players/targets.
Manager's thus have no job security. So are focussed on oven ready performers.
Sullivan is risk averse generally. Expensive future maybes are not what he's interested in. We wants value and surety (whether that's what he really gets or not).
Without a trusted DoF with a remote that spans the next 5-10 years, and who does ALL the football hiring and firing...we'll never have a forward view of more than 18 months max. We're just not setup for it.
The only guy Sullivan should own the recruitment of is Director of Football.
violator wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 13:38
I remember we went to Chelsea and ground out a 0-0 under fat Sam...Mourinho was having a tantrum calling it 17th Century football, and then made a living out of making his teams play the same way
His sides were negative waaaay before that.
Yep, Mourinho is Rolls Royce BFS, plays defensively and wins stuff.
Frankly we need both. We have a 32 year old first choice striker. We really need a 26/27 year old striker, and a 22/23 year old striker in the stable....one that pushes Fullkrug to the bench and one to be the different option.
It's what makes the signing of Callum Wilson so bad, beyond just it being Callum Wilson. We have that 'back end of career' player in the squad already.
A better stable would have been Fullkrug, Boniface (who's is young but with a body that is old), and George.
So I think we're both right....we need a player like George. We also need a player that is 27 and goes straight into the team.
Maybe you could argue if Potter stays, and Paqueta stays....Paqueta plays at 9 (and he's 28). So he's your oven ready first choice. Füllkrug at sub. And then you have a space for a young talent.
But there is no world where Callum Wilson AND Fullkrug is what we need in the squad. Should be one or the other.
Agreed generally, although I’d push more resources at starters right now - not projects. And there’s no way I’d sign Boniface. Recipe for disaster. The guy has two knee-knacks. We’ll get almost nothing out of him. He’ll get another big pay day.
Yup. The time for projects was two years ago for them to be coming to fruition now. Sullivan just can’t work in those timeframes. It seems. Unable to think past the next six months or spend money he won’t see some sort of return on in that space.
There have been countless opportunities to invest in young talent. Moyes was hugely at fault for this, never thinking past the immediate.
The big thing I was hoping for from Potter and the reason I assume he and Macaulay were hired was for us to be shopping in the ‘potential’ pool. They haven’t had a chance yet seen as it’s been panic stations before and the entire time they’ve been here. If we pick up with what we are getting at the last minute now there is still hope that this could come to fruition.
I DESPISE the notion that Sullivan is taking that he’s digging us out of this mess though. He could have gone and got Fernandes for this money a month ago but was pissing about lowballing them to the detriment of his team and manager. All he’s doing is correcting his own mistakes and cheapness at the last possible minute.
But this is our whole problem isn't it, it is never the right time to start a proper visionary project that will look way into the future and establish how we want to play and where we want to go. It is always fire fighting or handing over to some manger we get on the cheap who promised to get us playing great entertaining football, but whom always seem to fuck up and get us close to relegation. When does it stop? How about now? Get a serious management team together and get to work.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:58
by Mad Ferret
violator wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 13:38
I remember we went to Chelsea and ground out a 0-0 under fat Sam...Mourinho was having a tantrum calling it 17th Century football, and then made a living out of making his teams play the same way
In circumstances where we’re mid-table with points on the board, and with a better manager and first team, I’d say you’re right.
But right now, given where we are and everything going on, we need to spend our scarce resources on players who improve an already-terrible first team.
A big issue we’ve had for several seasons is brining in a LOT of players who are essentially squad fodder. We’re being thrashed every week at the moment. We need starting quality.
it’s hard to find, sure. And it’s more expensive. But, right now, we do not need more bench warmers. Unless we’re planning for the Championship.
Frankly we need both. We have a 32 year old first choice striker. We really need a 26/27 year old striker, and a 22/23 year old striker in the stable....one that pushes Fullkrug to the bench and one to be the different option.
It's what makes the signing of Callum Wilson so bad, beyond just it being Callum Wilson. We have that 'back end of career' player in the squad already.
A better stable would have been Fullkrug, Boniface (who's is young but with a body that is old), and George.
So I think we're both right....we need a player like George. We also need a player that is 27 and goes straight into the team.
Maybe you could argue if Potter stays, and Paqueta stays....Paqueta plays at 9 (and he's 28). So he's your oven ready first choice. Füllkrug at sub. And then you have a space for a young talent.
But there is no world where Callum Wilson AND Fullkrug is what we need in the squad. Should be one or the other.
Agreed generally, although I’d push more resources at starters right now - not projects. And there’s no way I’d sign Boniface. Recipe for disaster. The guy has two knee-knacks. We’ll get almost nothing out of him. He’ll get another big pay day.
Yup. The time for projects was two years ago for them to be coming to fruition now. Sullivan just can’t work in those timeframes. It seems. Unable to think past the next six months or spend money he won’t see some sort of return on in that space.
There have been countless opportunities to invest in young talent. Moyes was hugely at fault for this, never thinking past the immediate.
The big thing I was hoping for from Potter and the reason I assume he and Macaulay were hired was for us to be shopping in the ‘potential’ pool. They haven’t had a chance yet seen as it’s been panic stations before and the entire time they’ve been here. If we pick up with what we are getting at the last minute now there is still hope that this could come to fruition.
I DESPISE the notion that Sullivan is taking that he’s digging us out of this mess though. He could have gone and got Fernandes for this money a month ago but was pissing about lowballing them to the detriment of his team and manager. All he’s doing is correcting his own mistakes and cheapness at the last possible minute.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:38
by violator
I remember we went to Chelsea and ground out a 0-0 under fat Sam...Mourinho was having a tantrum calling it 17th Century football, and then made a living out of making his teams play the same way
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:35
by southbankbornnbred
Mad Dog" wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 13:25
Isnt mourinho a busted flush these days? Someone with better wider football knowledge feel free to correct me, but I thought he'd gone a bit shit
My football football knowledge ends about 12 yards outside London stadium. I know fuck all about other teams
Mourinho is past his best, of course. Because he pioneered much of what you now see others doing. Things caught up with him.
He also burns bridges with players far too quickly these days. Famously, within two seasons. He picks out certain players (Dele Alli, Luke Shaw) and harangues them in public. It goes down badly in dressing rooms.
BUT. He’s still a much better manager than what we have. He can still organise teams very well, firefight and scratch results with inferior sides. Realistically, how many people think we’d be relegated under him?
If you’re looking to stay up. And you don’t mind the risk that he’ll piss off some players within 2 years. Then he’s fine.
He’s nobody’s long-term project, though!
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:29
by Alan
TeamTalk
Rangers name price for leading star as Wolves, West Ham and Burnley plot devastating Ibrox raids
Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin could move to the Premier League before the transfer window slams shut, with Wolves, West Ham and Burnley all keen on securing his services, TEAMtalk understands.
The 24-year-old Belgian international has made no secret of his desire to explore opportunities elsewhere, signalling a potential departure from Ibrox in the coming days.
Raskin, who joined Rangers from Standard Liege in January 2023 for around £2 million, has been a key figure in the midfield, bringing energy, vision, and defensive solidity to the team.
This summer has seen him attract admirers not just from England but also from Italy and Spain. Other clubs like Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Fiorentina have been linked, drawn to his versatility and international pedigree.
Despite the buzz, Rangers initially stood firm, unwilling to part with a player integral to their domestic and European ambitions.
The situation took a turn recently when Raskin was omitted from the squad by manager Russell Martin. Sources indicate this decision stems from Raskin’s apparent lack of full commitment amid transfer talks.
Martin, known for his emphasis on team unity, publicly stated that he only wants players who are “all in and committed to the project.” This philosophy has led to Raskin’s exclusion, fuelling speculation that a move is imminent and alering suitors to his availability…
TEAMtalk understands that Rangers’ stance on Raskin could soften as the window nears its close.
With Raskin eager for a new challenge – possibly in the Premier League, where he could thrive in a more competitive environment – the club could demand a fee upwards of £15-20 million, considering his contract runs until 2027 and a sell-on clause owed to Liege.
For Wolves, Raskin represents a midfield upgrade under Vitor Pereira, while West Ham are seeking depth, and Burnley eyes him as a ideal fit to aid their Premier League survival.
As negotiations heat up, Rangers fans will hope for a resolution that benefits all parties, but Raskin’s Ibrox chapter appears headed for an end.
Raskin has made a total of 104 appearances for the Glasgow giants, notching six goals and 16 assists in the process.
His sturdy performances in defensive midfield have seen him earn a spot in the Belgium squad and a big move to the Premier League could be on the horizon.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:26
by Eerie Decent
Potter would not be starting that young lad from Monaco on Sunday regardless.
It's tricky though. In the 15m price bracket your not remotely expecting the finished article. Really that's about raw materials. He's a product if his current environment, and that affords him those luxuries.
But we need to sign players in this bracket who aren't already finished articles at their peak but have the ceiling to be class.
This lad is strong, quick, scores off both feet, and will have a climbing valuation. Aspects of his game of course would need to improve. But is he better raw material to come on off the bench than, say, Callum Marshall....almost certainly. Would he immediately be first choice? No.
In circumstances where we’re mid-table with points on the board, and with a better manager and first team, I’d say you’re right.
But right now, given where we are and everything going on, we need to spend our scarce resources on players who improve an already-terrible first team.
A big issue we’ve had for several seasons is brining in a LOT of players who are essentially squad fodder. We’re being thrashed every week at the moment. We need starting quality.
it’s hard to find, sure. And it’s more expensive. But, right now, we do not need more bench warmers. Unless we’re planning for the Championship.
Frankly we need both. We have a 32 year old first choice striker. We really need a 26/27 year old striker, and a 22/23 year old striker in the stable....one that pushes Fullkrug to the bench and one to be the different option.
It's what makes the signing of Callum Wilson so bad, beyond just it being Callum Wilson. We have that 'back end of career' player in the squad already.
A better stable would have been Fullkrug, Boniface (who's is young but with a body that is old), and George.
So I think we're both right....we need a player like George. We also need a player that is 27 and goes straight into the team.
Maybe you could argue if Potter stays, and Paqueta stays....Paqueta plays at 9 (and he's 28). So he's your oven ready first choice. Füllkrug at sub. And then you have a space for a young talent.
But there is no world where Callum Wilson AND Fullkrug is what we need in the squad. Should be one or the other.
Agreed generally, although I’d push more resources at starters right now - not projects. And there’s no way I’d sign Boniface. Recipe for disaster. The guy has two knee-knacks. We’ll get almost nothing out of him. He’ll get another big pay day.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:25
by Mad Dog
Isnt mourinho a busted flush these days? Someone with better wider football knowledge feel free to correct me, but I thought he'd gone a bit shit
My football football knowledge ends about 12 yards outside London stadium. I know fuck all about other teams
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:14
by Mike Oxsaw
Mourinho available.
You just know Sullivan's creamed his pants already.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 13:06
by violator
Potter probably took him for a look around at 11.55 just so he can play JWP on Sunday instead
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 29 Aug 2025, 12:56
by fraser
Mad Dog" wrote: ↑29 Aug 2025, 12:51
What time does this Monaco fella need to be registered by in order to be available this weekend?
Mid-day today but apparently has been
No reading he hasn't... Fuck knows, ask Ferret his contact will surely know..
